South Korea’s only all-female special forces unit, known as the Dokgumi Unit (now renamed Taeho Unit), has drawn public interest after being featured on television. This elite unit, whose members’ faces, names, and ranks are classified, recently gained attention when a former member appeared on Channel A’s survival program, Steel Troops W.
Steel Troops W is a military survival show in which top female soldiers form teams to compete for their unit’s honor. The show features elite female units, including the Dokgumi Unit, Army Special Forces, Marine Corps, and the 707th Special Mission Battalion, enhancing its intensity. This season marks the latest installment of Steel Troops, which began in 2021 and has previously showcased fierce battles between former special forces members.
Steel Troops W has become the first entertainment show to focus on a top-tier female unit, capturing viewers’ interest with its unique theme. Previous seasons of Steel Troops have created a strong fanbase, contributing to the show’s guaranteed popularity.
A fan of survival shows in their 30s, A shared that after finishing the Netflix series Chef in Black and White, they started watching Steel Troops W. A said, “It’s fascinating to see a side of female soldiers we don’t usually get to see,” adding that they enjoy getting energized by survival programs.
So what exactly does the Dokgumi Unit, now in the spotlight, do? Renamed the Taeho Unit in May 2022, this all-female special operations company plays a unique role within the South Korean military.
The South Korean armed forces boast numerous special operations units, each with distinct missions. The Taeho Unit is comprised of about ten highly trained female non-commissioned officers who were selected for their physical prowess and leadership skills. They specialize in urban warfare and rapid counterterrorism response. While specific mission details remain classified, it’s known that the unit maintains exceptionally high standards, accepting only two new members annually.
The Taeho Unit is one of the most sought-after assignments among female soldiers, with application rates varying from 10:1 to as high as 60:1. Only elite non-commissioned officers who have completed training at the Army NCO Academy are selected, giving the Taeho Unit its status as the only all-female special forces unit in the South Korean military.
All unit members are martial arts experts in disciplines like Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Judo—essential skills for rapid and effective counterterrorism strikes. Given their rigorous training, they rank among the highest in shooting, martial arts, and physical fitness across the Army. The average martial arts ranking in the unit is 6th dan, and some members collectively hold over ten martial arts dan certificates.
Before the Taeho Unit, South Korea’s first female special forces unit was the Female Special Forces Company under the Army Special Warfare Command’s 707th Special Mission Battalion. The history of female special forces in South Korea dates back to September 1969, when Master Sergeant Jeong Hyo Dan and seven others completed airborne training.” Later, on September 1, 1975, the Special Warfare Command established a female company with 34 members who carried out various missions.
Although the Female Special Forces Company was disbanded in 2014 and its members were reassigned to different brigades, the Taeho Unit and the Female Special Forces Company have remained iconic parts of South Korean female special forces. The popularity of the show Steel Troops W has brought renewed attention to these female units.
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